elfin

adjective

ˈel-fən How to pronounce elfin (audio)
Definition of elfinnext
as in charismatic
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract the heroine in the story has an elfin beauty that men find irresistible

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elfin Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025 Numerous species are commercially available, from the culinary classic common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) to colorful flowering groundcovers such as elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and creeping thyme (Thymus praecox). — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2025 In a series of illustrated stories, Lung describes the Labubu as an elfin creature. — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 The look is elfin, but less shaggy than an elfish cut, often pulled off with a mod, micro-cut bang instead. — Essence, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elfin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elfin
  1. charismatic
  2. charming
  3. appealing
  4. attractive
  5. enchanting
  6. seductive
Adjective
  • Moore’s Mona finds herself in the thrall of a charismatic community theater director played, in a delightful bit of typecasting, by Paul Giamatti.
    — John Ross, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
  • At the heart of this imbroglio unfolds a gallery of colorful characters, all revolving around an ultra-charismatic art dealer.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of charismatic
Adjective
  • The Fantasticks After a record 42-year run Off Broadway, this charming little musical about parents who pretend to feud to get each other’s kids to fall in love is finally hitting Broadway — with a twist.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, the procedure transformed him into an unstable super-soldier — capable of being magnetically charming one moment and dangerously chilling the next.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of charming
Adjective
  • And, fortuitously for would-be sponsors, something happened in tennis that made these arrangements even more appealing.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Amy and Rosie are intensely appealing women, yet their lives with men have been a washout.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of appealing
Adjective
  • As training camp arrives, injuries have turned an attractive offseason of work into an uneasy fall.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • If so, home equity can appear like an increasingly attractive source of financial breathing room.
    — Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of attractive
Adjective
  • But during the fall, the scenic pathway becomes even more enchanting when accented by colorful foliage.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • For an enchanting drive, take the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway from the Denver area through the forests and neighboring wilderness before ending in adventure basecamp, Estes Park.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of enchanting
Adjective
  • There is a seductive argument for a more systematic approach in the interests of greater consistency, but the issue rarely arises and gets lost among more pressing matters.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Digital analytics can create a seductive illusion of precision.
    — Sindhu Bhaskar, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of seductive

Browse Nearby Words

elf
elfin
elfish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elfin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elfin. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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